Personal risk factors. This is a requirement in heat illness training but is often left out. You cannot ask about personal risk factors, but you can and should talk about them. Here are some items you should include in your training.

• Preexisting conditions. When Cal/OSHA started collecting data on heat illness it showed many of the people affected had diagnosed or undiagnosed conditions that may have contributed to their heat illness. Diabetes and prediabetes were high on the list (a good reason not to provide sugary sports drinks). High blood pressure, heart disease, and respiratory disease also increase risk. Advise employees to talk to their doctor about the kind of work they do and if they are at increased risk for heat illness.
• Medications. Prescription and over the counter drugs can increase the risk of heat illness. Employees should talk with their doctor or pharmacist.
• Obesity and physical fitness. Many health insurers offer discounted gym memberships. Urge employees to use them.
• Alcohol use. Alcohol dehydrates the body. If employees drink, they need to start drinking water early to catch up.
• Caffeine. A cup or two in the morning might not cause a problem, but drinking coffee or energy drinks all day instead of water will.
• Drug use. It is a sad fact—there is a drug problem in the construction community. This increases risk in many ways, heat illness being one. Unions and health insurers have resources to help.

Include this information in your heat illness training or use it for a tailgate.